The St. Wenceslas Rotunda, first mentioned in the St. Wenceslas legend originating in the 13th century, was searched for by historians and archaeologists for centuries. It was located thanks to a comprehensive reconstruction of the building of Charles University's Faculty of Mathematics and Physics situated at Malostranské náměstí (the Lesser Town Square). The remnants of the rotunda were discovered on 3 February 2004 during the reconstruction works, by accident. Based on an engraving depicting the 1611 invasion of the Lesser Town of Prague by the Passau mercenaries, scholars had always assumed that the rotunda was situated within the western row of houses in the middle of the Lesser Town Square. The archaeological discovery proved that, in reality, it was situated more to the east. Historical sources claimed that the rotunda was torn down in 1683 while, in fact, its parts were incorporated in the foundations of a 'house of professions' built by the Jesuits.
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The works within the St. Wenceslas Rotunda preservation project were of a construction and restoration nature. The works were closely supervised by the National Heritage Institute, archaeologists, an architect and other specialists.
The construction part of the project included disassembly of makeshift constructions within the rotunda space, mounting of an entry staircase leading from the Faculty’s corridor, manufacture and mounting of visitors’ walkways, brickworks, installation of replicas of the Romanesque tiles, installation of mains, air conditioning, lighting and audiovisual technologies.

Visit the Rotunda right now from the comfort of your home thank to a virtual guide here

  • Address:

    Malostranské nám. 2/25, 118 00, Prague, Czech Republic

  • Client:

    Faculty of Mathematics and Physics of Charles University, Prague

  • Description of the work:

    Restoration and construction works

  • Realization:

    2016

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